BRPI1101843A2 - fluid transfer line with clamping modules - Google Patents

Abstract

FLUID TRANSFER LINE WITH FIXING MODULES. The present invention relates to a fluid transfer line between two constructions wherein the connector-disconnector comprises a flange (20) on one end (4.2) and clamping modules (14) mounted on the other end (4.1). , so that it can fit over the flange (20) and the trees (12.1, 12.2) so that the butterflies pass radially between two modules (14).

Description

Patent Descriptive Report for "FLUID TRANSFER LINE WITH FIXING MODULES".

The present invention relates to WO 2009/071591 which describes a line for fluid transfer between two constructions, one of which is navigational, comprising a catenary overhead cryogenic flexible conduit having two nozzles. The two tips are connected by a single disconnect connector on the line, grouping on a single interface, which therefore have the same separation surface or separation plane, the service disconnect and disconnect devices. of urgency. The connection-disconnection system of the two bridges is a clamping clamp, whose kinematics allow a controlled opening in order to allow closing without manual reclosing, but which has the drawback of not having important spring cartridge, This ensures a high clamping force, allowing the forces transmitted notably by off-shore transfer lines to be resumed, as it would be very difficult to rearm this spring cartridge automatically before re-closing the clamp. A spherical housing isolation tap is mounted at the end of each ferrule. This type of tap represents an important mass at the end of the transfer line, while its shape implies a relatively significant inscribed volume between them, corresponding to the loss of fluid upon an emergency disconnect.

The invention prevents these drawbacks by a fluid transfer line between two constructions of the above type, characterized in that:

- the taps are butterfly taps, which are mounted respectively at the free ends in front of the nozzles and whose operating trees are actuated by actuators;

- the disconnect connector comprises a flange on one end and at least three mounting modules mounted on the other

tip so that it can fit over the flange and disengage therefrom; and - the butterfly shafts pass radially between two clamping modules.

According to the invention, double decentralized butterfly taps can then be used mounted very close to each other, their maneuvering trees being arranged so as to leave only an extremely small volume between the butterflies, as previously designed by Eurodim and KSB (W003 / 004925).

The deviation between the necks of the taps is too small to have a controlled opening and closing clamp there, the connection maneuvers - service disconnection as a matter of urgency are effected by effective clamping modules, the clamping efforts can be very important. and thus allowing no interaction with the taps of the taps, the modules extending substantially parallel to the nozzle axis.

The number of clamping modules should be at least three and should be a good compromise between the need to ensure the best possible clamping effort with the opposing tip flange and the need for sufficient clearance between two modules to allow the passage of the two necks of the taps that integrate the maneuvering trees. Good results were obtained with three to six clamping modules, preferably evenly spaced angularly around the pipe axis.

The two tips are provided with means of approach and guidance with male and female members positioned on the tips so that they cooperate with each other in order to ensure a good positioning of one tip in relation to the other before a connection.

In the accompanying drawings, given by way of example only: Figure 1 is a schematic view of a fluid transfer installation according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a partial view while the connector - disconnector is in the connected position; Figure 3 represents a partial view, while the connector

- disconnector is in disconnected position; and

Figures 4, 5 and 6 are sectional views of a clamping module.

The liquefied natural gas transfer facility between a ship 1 and a floating terminal 3 which may be a discharge station or a loading station itself connected to the gas network by pipelines under the sea comprises a pipeline. 3 flexible cryogenic communication between the vats of the two buildings 1,2. The overhead catenary flexible cryogenic 3 is deployed and wound with the aid of a wheel 7 and a connecting winch 6 - disconnection positioned, for example, over the ship 1, winch which, via its cable 5 of connection

- disconnection, allows the vessel to be approached or moved away from the ship 1. Figure 1 shows the transfer system, a connector - disconnector 4 ensuring the connection between the vats of the two constructions 1.2.

In Figure 2, the pipeline consists of two rigid tubing tips, the tip 4.1, connected to the manifold of the ship 1 by means of an adapter, and the tip 4.2, having a flange 20 at its end and positioned at the end of the cryogenic flexible. Attachment modules 14 visible over this view (at least three) positioned, e.g. over tip 4.1, allow the emergency transfer system to be connected and disconnected as a matter of urgency, locking and unlocking the tips 4.1 and 4.2 in relation to each other, which respectively support an orientation bore 16 and an orientation rod 18 by means of a support 10, and an orientation spindle 15 serving as a male element, thus as an orientation fork 17, serving as a female element by means of a bracket 11. Butterfly-type taps 13.1, 13.2 respectively positioned on tips 4.1, 4.2, and shown in an open position, allow the isolation of these tips following a disconnection. of service or urgency, the decentralization of the maneuvering shafts .12.1, 12.2 in relation to the axis of the fluid shaft, allowing overlap when maneuvering and thus limiting the volume between the two in the closed position as much as possible. The maneuvers 12.1, 12.2, inscribed in bottlenecks that run radially at the tips between two clamping modules 14. A third butterfly tap 19, also shown in the open position, allows for a double sealing barrier at the end. of air cryogenic flexible 3 after a disconnection of the transfer system, notably in urgency. The power and flow of the hydraulic supply connected to the clamping modules 14 are sufficiently important to ensure that the forces resume respectively due to the formation of an ice layer at the level of the mechanical elements and an emergency disconnection. even if the response time to urgently disconnect a transfer system with a catenary flexible should not necessarily be as short as with a loading arm, for example. These clamping modules 14 are positioned in such a way as to allow the control spindles 12.1, 12.2 to pass from the respective tips 4.1, 4.2 to the hydraulic drive and are designed with a kinematics, performing a mechanical lock by a system. reinforcement, which allows any possible loss of hydraulic power to be accepted without disturbing the connection and therefore the transfer.

The clamping modules 14 such as butterfly taps 13.1,13.2 have two separate hydraulic control lines, one connected to the service automaton for service functions, the other connected to the safety automaton for emergency functions (ESD).

Figure 3 shows the line for transfer in connection (or disconnection) phase, the butterfly taps 13.1, 13.2, 19 are therefore shown in closed position. In the event of a disconnection, the tip 4.2 attached to the cryogenic flexible 3 contacts the tip 4.1, connected to the ship's manifold, by means of an adapter 4, thanks to the cable 5 of the connecting winch - disconnection 6 routed by the pulley 8 and connected to the end of the guide shaft 15, which is an integral part of the guide system also comprising the guide bore 16, guide fork 17 as well as guide rod 18 which allow for good positioning before a service connection between the two tips 4.1, 4.2. After an emergency disconnect, the connection-disconnect winch 3 also ensures the usual fall arrest function, since in terms of maneuvering this emergency operation is assimilated to a service disconnect by the grouping. corresponding devices on the disconnector connector 4. In the event of an emergency disconnection procedure requiring significant clearance between the two vessels, the cable 5 of the disconnection winch 6 is released after being completely unwound so that avoid any risk of breakdown at the transfer system level.

Figures 4, 5 and 6 show the cross-sectional view of a fastening module following its symmetry plane. A jack 21 pivoting around its trunnions 41 on the bracket 23 attached to the body of the nozzle 4.1 has a plate 24 attached to the end of its rod 22. An axis 25, positioned at the end of the plate 24, allows to perform a pivot connection with connecting rod 28, also in pivot connection at its other end relative to the body of the nozzle 41 about axis 26, and connecting rod 29, also in pivot connection at its other end with knob 30 around This knob 30, limited in its downward displacement by a support of the lower part of its larger lip 42 in the internal perforation of the machine 33, is oriented over its upper part by the smaller lip in translation relative to the upper part of the lid. 31 itself fixed to the perforation of the jaw 33 and housing the spring cartridge 32 in support of the large perforation of the knob 30. A connecting rod 35, pivoting at one end with the jaw 33 around the axis 34, and the other extr around the shaft 26, it has a side stop (not shown) that can contact the upper part of vane 37 of tip 4.1, as well as a center stop 38, and can contact jaw 33, which has at its end roller skates 36. The shaft 25 is provided with two rods (not shown), at each end thereof, a smaller rod which contacts the slopes 39, 40 of the guide-guide 23 and a larger rod. which may contact the top of the connecting rod 35.

Figure 4 shows the clamping module in an open position, in which the rod 22 of the jack 21 is in the in position, while the central rod 38 is in contact with the claw 33 thus held in a detached position, allowing the tip 4.2 is moved closer to tip 4.1, thanks to the connector-disconnector orientation system which ensures coaxiality and flat-to-flat contact between the two tips.

Closing of the module is initiated by the output of rod 21 of jack 21, which drives the displacement of shaft 25, so that it tends to interleave between shafts 26, 27, thanks to the high position maintenance of shaft 27 allowed by contact. between the rod attached at its end and the upper part of the side rod 35, which also causes the knob 30 to move upwardly within the perforation of the jaw 33, causing compression of the spring cartridge 32 , the inclination of the inclines 39, 40 of the support guide 23 combined in contact with the rod end stop 35 with the upper part of the fin tip 37, tending to close the clamp 33 on the flange 20 of the tip 4.2.

Figure 5 shows the position of the different module elements when the jaw 33 comes into contact via its skids 36 with the flange 20 of the nozzle 4.2 which is thus tightened against the nozzle 4.1. In this position, the smaller rod at the shaft end 27 is at the inclination level 40 of the support guide 23 while the spring cartridge 32 is compressed.

As shown in Figure 6, an additional displacement from the jack 22 stem outlet to the contact of its plate 24 with the center flange 38 allows the axis 25 to pass to the right of the plane through the axes 26, 27. The cartridge spring 32 always being compressed, the downward force exerted down its central axis allows mechanically blocking the reinforcement kinematics, the axis 25 can no longer move to the left of the plane passing through the axes 26, 27 without the action of the jack 21, whatever the forces that are grasped by the claw 33. During a transfer, the locked position of the claw is therefore assured even in the event of a hydraulic supply defect, notably at the level of the jack 21.

The reopening is therefore initiated by the entrance of the rod 22 of the jack 21 which causes the system kinematics not to be reinforced by the displacement of the axis 25 to the left of the plane passing through the axes 26, 27, thanks to the maintenance in position of the axis. 27, by the contact of the smaller rod fixed at its end against the inclination 40 of the guide bar 23. The continuation of the entrance of the rod 22 of the jack 21 drives, notably through the rod 29, the displacement of the oriented axis 27. by contacting the smaller rod attached at its end with the inclination 39 of the support guide 23, which allows the claw to be removed 33. Any gravity influence according to the position of the claw 33 on the tip 4.1 is controlled by the contact. of the smaller rod with the slopes 29, 30 of the guide bar 23.

Claims (4)

1. Fluid transfer line between two constructions, one of which is navigational, comprising a flexible overhead catenary pipe (3), having two ferrules (4.1, 4.2), connected by a single disconnect connector (4) above the line, grouping in a single interface, which therefore has the same separation surface, the connecting devices - service disconnect and emergency disconnect, a stop tap being mounted on each end, characterized by because: - the taps are butterfly taps (13.1, 13.2) which are mounted respectively at the free ends in front of the tips (4.1, 4.2) and whose maneuvers (12.1, 12.2) are actuated by actuators; - the disconnect connector comprises a flange (20) on one end (4.1, 4.2) and at least three clamping modules (14) mounted on the other end so that it can fit over the flange and thereafter. disengage; and - the butterfly maneuvering trees (12.1, 12.2) (13.1, 13.2) pass radially between two clamping modules (14).